ZCZC
BSP-09
FBL-SERIEA-ITA
New-look Juventus begin Serie A defence without ailing Sarri
MILAN, Aug 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Juventus begin their Serie A campaign at
Parma on Saturday looking to push their record Scudetto run to nine but with
a different style of football under new coach Maurizio Sarri, who will miss
the opening fixtures with pneumonia.
Behind, Napoli and Inter Milan are waiting in the wings hopeful that
Sarri’s arrival can lead to turmoil in Turin and a changing of the guard in
Italy.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli have not won the title since 1990 and open at
Fiorentina Saturday with Antonio Conte’s Inter at home to promoted Lecce on
Monday.
Like Sarri, Conte last coached at Chelsea, and along with three-times
Champions League winner Ancelotti, Serie A have a world class coaching setup
this season.
Juventus start the season without Sarri however who will miss the Parma
game and his former club Napoli in Turin on August 31 with pneumonia. The 60-
year-old is still overseeing training.
Sarri has replaced Massimiliano Allegri whose pragmatic style of football
fell out of favour despite his trophy-laden five years.
Juventus are targetting a 36th Scudetto but their main objective remains
the Champions League which they have not won since 1996.
After splashing out on Cristiano Ronaldo last season Juventus have again
reinforced with midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot and Dutch defender
Matthijs De Ligt.
“Sarri has prepared us well and gave us his philosophy,” said former Paris
Saint-Germain midfielder Rabiot.
“I’m managing to create an excellent affinity with Cristiano Ronaldo,
because he also plays on the left.
“Training with him allows me to improve myself a lot and his presence is
very good for the group.” – ‘Raised the bar’ –
In Milan, Conte, who led Juventus to the first three in their series of
eight titles, has also been given money to spend to give Inter a first Serie
A title since 2010.
“Conte’s arrival has brought enthusiasm but above all, it has raised the
bar,” said Inter defender Danilo D’Ambrosio.
“From a mental point of view, Conte and his staff are winners.”
Chinese-owned Inter paid 65 million euros ($72 million) for Manchester
United’s Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku.
Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin has also arrived along with Italian
midfielders Stefano Sensi and Nicolo Barella.
Inter are still in talks with Manchester United for Chilean forward Alexis
Sanchez with the transfer window slamming suit on September 2.
Radja Nainggolan and Ivan Perisic have both left with the conflict between
the club and former captain Mauro Icardi still not resolved.
Juventus remain favourites, insists Italy coach Roberto Mancini.
“Juve are absolutely the strongest,” said Mancini who won three Serie A
titles with Inter.
“Let’s not forget that they have been winning for eight years and they have
again reinforced.
“I see Napoli as dangerous, they have the same players who have been
playing together for years while Inter have made four to five changes and
lose important players like Icardi and Perisic.
“For the moment I would line out in a row Juve, Napoli and Inter.”
Behind are Atalanta, a surprise third last season, followed by AC Milan,
Lazio and Roma.
The side from Bergamo play at SPAL with AC Milan at Udinese with Roma
hosting Genoa.
Lazio start at home against Sampdoria, now coached by former Romer boss
Eusebio Di Francesco.
Promoted Brescia head for Cagliari with new signing Mario Balotelli sitting
out a four-match ban, with Verona at home against Bologna.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Saturday
Parma v Juventus (1700); Fiorentina v Napoli (1945)
Sunday
Udinese v AC Milan (1700), Cagliari v Brescia, SPAL v Atalanta, Roma v
Genoa, Verona v Bologna, Sampdoria v Lazio, Torino v Sassuolo (all 1945)
Monday
Inter Milan v Lecce (1945)
BSS/AFP/GMR/0857 hrs